Use First Principle Thinking to Break Free and Get Unstuck

I coach a lot of solopreneurs. When you’re your own boss, you have a lot of decisions to make and usually no one to advise you or bounce ideas off.

So, I often find they will make assumptions… and run their business based on those assumptions… when they may not be good assumptions.

For instance, let’s say you are a business owner who provides a service supporting clients, like a consultant or a CPA. Or a massage therapist.

Your current level of experience and skills would tell you your services are worth more than you’re charging.

But you assume if you raise your prices, you’ll lose clients and your income will fall.

Let’s take this scenario through First Principles Thinking… and see if that’s a good assumption.

First, though, I want to talk about how even the smartest, most capable people can get stuck behind invalid assumptions.

Why Smart People Get Stuck

Over-Reliance on Conventional Wisdom

As we climb the corporate ladder and step into leadership positions, it’s often because we’re following best practices, industry standards, or advice from mentors.

But at a certain point, you may need to veer off the beaten path. Because when you’re leading, sometimes you’re the one developing the wisdom.

What if the conventional way isn’t the right way for you at this stage of your career?

Analysis Paralysis

You’re great at gathering information — but too much information can lead to indecision and overthinking.

And the smarter you are, the more liable you are to second-guess yourself because you see all possible outcomes.

Fear of Letting Go

You’ve gotten ahead by doing certain things in certain ways: your habits, your roles, your beliefs.
Letting go of those tried and true methods feels like wasting time — but holding on might be what’s keeping you stuck.

Because as you reach certain stages of your career, what got you here won’t get you there.
And you may have picked up some limiting beliefs along the way, which hold you back and keep you stuck.

Examples of Unconscious Limiting Beliefs

“I should be able to figure this out on my own.”
“If I change paths, I’ll be seen as a failure.”
“I have to work twice as hard to prove myself.”

These beliefs keep you trapped in cycles of overwork, hesitation, or self-doubt.

Breaking Free with First Principles Thinking

What is First Principles Thinking?

First Principles Thinking is a problem-solving approach used by great minds like Einstein and Aristotle.

Instead of accepting things as they are, it breaks everything down to fundamental truths (the most basic thing you know to be true) and rebuilds from the ground up.

First Principles Thinkings helps you break through limiting beliefs and see fresh possibilities.

A 3-Step Process to Use First Principles Thinking to Get Unstuck

1. Identify the Root Cause of the Stuckness
   Instead of asking, “Why am I stuck?” ask questions like: am I making assumptions that might not be true? And if I had to start from scratch, what would I do differently?
   
   For our pricing example, a first principles thinking question would be: what do I know for sure versus what am I assuming?
   
   Well, I’m assuming I’ll lose customers if I raise my prices. AND, even more, I’m assuming my income will fall if I lose customers.
   
2. Break It Down into Fundamental Truths
   Next, strip away expectations, rules, or fear-based thinking.
   
   Assuming your income will fall if you raise prices is fear-based thinking and expectations.
   
   Instead, ask a question that gets at a fundamental truth – like, how much would my ideal clients pay for my services? Or how could I message my services in a way that conveys a higher value and attracts higher-paying clients?
   
3. Rebuild a Solution That Works for YOU
   Instead of following what others say should work, design a path that fits your strengths, values, and goals.
   
   In our pricing example, a rebuilt solution might be: You’ll test a new pricing model on the next few prospects, with a new value-based message. By doing this, you could attract higher paying clients, work fewer hours, and have increased income.

Final Takeaway: Get Unstuck — Unstick Your Thinking

Being stuck isn’t a permanent state — it’s just a thinking pattern.

First Principles Thinking helps cut through mental clutter, challenge limiting beliefs, and design a path that truly works for you.

Next Step: Choose one area where you feel stuck. Apply First Principles Thinking to question the assumptions holding you back.

And if you’d like some help getting started using First Principles Thinking, set up a 15-minute clarity call with me. We can take a look at what’s holding you back and discuss how to help you reach your goals.